Page 53 of Rescuing Erin

“To save my wife and babies’ lives,” Linc reminded Zane.

“I didn’t say she didn’t have good reason. Only that she and Erin both put their lives in danger for our sorry asses.”

“And what, Ivy’s a walk in the park? The woman puts up with no bullshit ever.” Jax had Zane there. Ivy was easy going until she wasn’t. And when she wasn’t, it was world war three.

“Fuck no, she’s not. That’s what makes her the perfect woman. I know where I stand with her. And in case I missed it the first time she tells me I’m being an asshole, she kindly reminds me a second time, only louder. But when shit goes sideways, she never complains. When I pull inside of myself and the guilt starts to jerk me under, she’s there. Not a day has gone by I haven’t thought about how lucky I am. How lucky we all are.”

“Y’all enjoy your domestication. For years my ass was stuck deep undercover with the filth of the world. Now that you all are off the market, that means there’s more available tail for me. And I plan on enjoying it.” Declan winked.

He wasn’t fooling any of us. He thought he was, but we’d all been there. Loneliness was a given for men like us.

“Whatever you say, Dec,” Lincoln started. “There was a time I thought the same thing. We were living the good life. Shootin’ guns, killin’ bad guys, high on the adrenaline rush. Then walked in a five-foot-nothing hellcat and knocked my world off its axis. Jasmin changed everything. One day, when the woman you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with barges into your life and ties you in knots, you’ll gladly allow it. Unless you’re Colin. Then you fight it and pretend you don’t see what’s right in front of your face.”

I kindly flipped Lincoln the middle finger.

A look of sadness passed over Declan’s face before he quickly masked it.

“Still can’t believe you asked her, man. Congratulations. Maybe now you can bring her around and see my wife. Olivia has been worried about her.”

“We already talked about it. She feels bad about what happened this last year and wants to make it right.”

“Nothing to make right. As long as she’s in Olivia’s life, that’s all that matters.”

“Agreed.”

The door to Erin’s room opened, and her father stepped out. As much as I enjoyed bantering with my team, I’d rather be with my woman.

“She’s all yours. Take care of her,” Tom said.

I was struck by the truthfulness of his words. She was all mine. In every way. For all time.

Chapter 19

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Colin asked for the fourth time since we’d left his house.

I’d done nothing but sleep, or I should say, tried to sleep, for the last two days. After my MRI showed no swelling or bleeding in my brain, I was given the all clear to fly home. We landed at Andrews and went straight to Colin’s house in Annapolis. True to his word, he hadn’t left my side. As a matter of fact, he was following the doctor’s orders to wake me up once an hour—down to the second. I didn’t know how he was functioning. He had to be exhausted.

Zane had called yesterday and asked if Colin would come into the office today, and the only way he’d agreed was if I went with him. So that was where we were headed. And if I was going to spend the day lollygagging around his office, I thought I should ask if Olivia could meet me there since Leo would be at the meeting as well. At the time I’d thought it was a good idea, however the closer we got to the downtown office the more nervous I became.

“Sunshine?”

“Sorry. Yeah, I feel fine.”

“You sure? You were out of it there for a minute.”

“Just thinking about Olivia. What if she doesn’t forgive me?”

“You’ve got nothing to worry about. I talked to Leo and she’s thrilled you texted her.”

“But what if—”

“The sky falls? A bus pulls in front of us? The world explodes?” he joked.

“Stop. I’m being serious.”

“I know you are. You’re working yourself up for nothing. I’m more worried about you taking it easy than anything. The doctor said—”

“Yes, I know what he said. Relax. No exercise or strenuous activity. I’ll be sitting in your office talking, not PT’ing.”